Atlantic City Around the Island Swim - results index

The Atlantic City Around-the-Island Swim was a 36.6 km professional race around Absecon Island, New Jersey (which includes the towns of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate, and Longport).

The swim was pioneered in 1953 by Atlantic City lifeguards Ed Solitaire and Ed Stetser. For 11 years, 1954-1964, an international race was held, with a substantial purse sponsored by local businesses. After an economic downturn, the swim was discontinued from 1965-1977. In 1978, legalized gambling began in Atlantic City. Local lifeguard and future Atlantic City mayor Jim Whelan swam solo around the island to spur interest in reviving the race. Later that year, six Atlantic City lifeguards (including future race director Sid Cassidy) completed a well-publicized trial run. Whelan's promotional efforts were successful, and a second era of the international race began in 1979. What came to be known as the "World Championship Ocean Marathon" was held every year through 2005 except 1986. In 1988, the race was called off after less than two hours due to abnormally cold water. In 2006 and 2007, the swim was canceled due to the Atlantic City Beach Patrol's withdrawal of support rowers. In 2019, an amateur race around the island named after Jim Whelan was established.

Atlantic City Around the Island Swim route
Route Swims Fastest
Absecon Island circumnavigation (CW) 559 Stéphane Gomez - 06:37:09 (2004)
Absecon Island circumnavigation (CCW) 26 Stéphane Lecat - 06:54:00 (2001)

View data by year:

See also:


Course Map

Course Record Progression

Clockwise

Counter-Clockwise

Multi-Time Champions

Video (1987)

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